DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 28, 2022) Paying homage to first responders is part of what makes communities in Flagler and Volusia counties such great places to work and live for those in the field.
In celebration of their service, the Hometown Heroes Awards Dinner, emceed by local celebrity The Young Professor, was held Friday evening at the Ocean Center recognizing those who put their lives on the line to help others day in and day out.
It was no wonder that Flagler County Fire Rescue Lt. Jon Moscowitz, Daytona Beach Fire Department Battalion Chief Steven Taft, and Daytona Beach Sgt. Lissette Deschamps were selected as the 2022 standouts among a class of 30 first responders for their service.
Creating “Brookie’s Boxes”, offering tools to draw their attention, reduce noise, and a white board and marker for communication for non-verbal patients, Moscowitz said he and wife Cherish Moscowitz drew on their own family’s experience with sensory processing disorder to help first responders navigate calls where sensory issues may add to a challenging situation.
“It’s a true honor to be recognized with this award, for what my wife and myself have put forward outside of my job to better serve the community,” he said.
“I have a beautiful, five-year old little girl who has a sensory processing disorder and I know that if she’s not always with me or my wife, she’s somewhere where there’s a first responder that might cross paths and I just wanted something out there that might make it easier for my daughter in that situation and the first responder.”
“I’ve gotten so much feedback from other first responders that have used it and the impact it had on that call, just controlling the environment, making it easier and more tolerable for that person, as well as some of the other agencies that have used it shared stories of positivity from some of the patients they’ve encountered.”
“I’m very proud. This means so much to us,” said Cherish. “I think when you come from a place that you have experience with it and it means so much to you, I think that passion kind of shows to everyone else and that’s what made it so successful.”
Moscowitz’ supervisor, Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker beamed with pride over the recognition as Jon Moscowitz was named Hometown Hero of the Year.
“Jon winning this award is huge for Flagler County Fire Rescue but it’s also huge because the individuals that we serve are better because of it,” said Tucker.
Picking up the 2022 First Responder of the Year Award, Battalion Chief Steven Taft was recognized for the life-saving water-based training and department-wide implementation of the “Surface Water Rescue Program”, after Sheriff Mike Chitwood delivered a zingy one-liner to get the segment started.
“Firefighters need heroes. That’s why God made cops,” joked Chitwood.
Closing the ceremony, Daytona Beach Police Sgt. Lissette Deschamps was lauded with a collage of photos and Lee Greenwood’s ‘Proud To Be An American’, before a light roasting by Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young, who recalled their earliest days together.
“For me, it’s personal. It goes back prior to law enforcement. Many don’t know, me and Lissette started out at Olive Garden,” revealed Young. “That’s how far back we go.”
Presented by Sam Royer, national director for Heroes First Home Loans, he talked of the respect and inspiration he held for Deschamps, an officer with the Daytona Beach Police Department since 2001.
Royer encouraged those in attendance to learn more about her story in the upcoming book set for release on November 15, “Called to Serve”.
“Lissette is a leader not just for what she does in law enforcement, but she truly is proud to be an American,” said Royer, describing her as fearless, heartfelt, and selfless.
“I’m giving an award to one of my best friends who doesn’t know she’s getting it and the fact that she changed my life when I moved here, and she’s a cop, and that’s her mission in life. She’s the first chapter in our book, her mission was to change lives and she didn’t know she changed my life,” he said.
“’Called to Serve’ is a book about firefighters, police officers and EMTs and the reason they chose to serve,” said Royer. “It’s their personal stories. It’s national, it’s on Amazon, the Gary Sines Foundation is behind it, it’s going to be a pretty big hit.”
Deschamps was surprised by the accolade and encouraged others, especially women, to believe in their abilities.
“I am excited because I do so much for the community and I love the fact that Sam gives back as much as me,” she said with compassion. “I truly think that is what law enforcement is about, giving back to the community and I’m just excited to be a part of it and that people recognize the fact that we are all working together – fire department, law enforcement, EMS, to give back to our community.”
“As a child I never, ever thought I’d be in law enforcement. I come from a family that my brother is in prison and I thought that I wanted to be different, show people that they could do it,” said Deschamps.
“I especially wanted to show females that they could do it. I am a motorcycle officer, I am now the supervisor of all the boys, I’ve been doing it for 18 years on a motorcycle, 22 years in law enforcement, and I would just like to say to any female that wants to do it, that they can do it. I’m telling you it is a challenge, but we can all prove that we can do it.”
Created by the Daytona Beach News-Journal four years ago, the Hometown Heroes Awards Dinner recognized first responders and hometown heroes nominated by co-workers, peers and the community.
“Every day they wake up and don’t know if they’re going to come home, or every day wake up and they try and save lives, or every day they wake up and try and teach children,” said Royer.
“We’re here to recognize really the hometown heroes that serve our community as first responders, every day around the clock,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “It’s an exciting event and we really appreciate the support and recognition that will be given tonight.”
